Three innovation clusters
Four fundamentals
In the past Antwerp has always innovated to maintain and strengthen its economic position. We are doing this again with 3 innovation clusters: digital innovation, circular economy and health. Antwerp aligns in this with the European spearheads. Startups in these clusters bring oxygen to the four fundamentals.
The Antwerp economy rests on 4 fundamentals. The second largest port in Europe. The second largest chemical cluster in the world with nearly all of the big chemical producers present. In the last 10 years 11,5 billion euro was invested in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and in its chemical cluster. The first diamond centre in the world. 86% of all rough diamonds and 50% of all cut diamonds pass through Antwerp. Finally, Antwerp is Belgium’s favourite retail destination, with a unique status in fashion maintaining a strong reputation alongside fashion capitals such as Paris, London, Milan and New York.
The city of Antwerp has a very rich tradition. It was already an important settlement in Roman times. But the real “grandeur” started in the 15th century. In 1447 we find the first official record of diamond trade. The 16th century was Antwerp’s Golden Century: it became the trade centre of Europe. In 1531 the Antwerp Stock Exchange was opened, genuinely called “the mother of all stock exchanges”.
In the 16th Century Antwerp laid the foundation for its rich cultural heritage. In painting the Antwerp school with Bruegel, Rubens, Van Dyck and many others became world famous. And still is. In 1585 the Spaniards conquered Antwerp and closed the river Scheldt. The Antwerp diaspora made name and fortune elsewhere. But gradually Antwerp regained forces and in the 19th century it becomes one of the biggest European ports.
Antwerp: a history of trade
fDi Award
Antwerp’s strategic approach to attract foreign investments results in the 2nd spot in the ‘strategy’ category of the ‘European Cities and Regions of the Future 2024/25’ ranking by fDi Intelligence, a division of the Britisch business newspaper The Financial Times. The results reflect the city’s commitment to economic growth and strategic development. In addition, Antwerp achieves another three places in the top ten of the fDi rankings in the ‘overall’, ‘economic potential’ and ‘connectivity’ categories.
4 fundamentals, 3 innovation clusters, 2 faces and 1 engine for the economic development: the creative minds of Antwerp. Innovation is the key to the future. Innovation needs many things, but in the first place creative people. Antwerp and its University are strong in design thinking and product development which are crucial to form innovative processes. Product design is the core of Antwerp. Powered by Creatives, a dynamic creative community.
Antwerp is on the one hand the port with its logistics and industry and on the other hand the city with its urban economy. City and port are more and more interconnected because of the joint approach of the challenges with which Antwerp is confronted.
One engine
Two faces of one city
Introduction:
Antwerp’s strategic approach to attract foreign investments results in the 2nd spot in the ‘strategy’ category of the ‘European Cities and Regions of the Future 2024/25’ ranking by fDi Intelligence, a division of the Britisch business newspaper The Financial Times. The results reflect the city’s commitment to economic growth and strategic development. In addition, Antwerp achieves another three places in the top ten of the fDi rankings in the ‘overall’, ‘economic potential’ and ‘connectivity’ categories.
fDi Award
4 fundamentals, 3 innovation clusters, 2 faces and 1 engine for the economic development: the creative minds of Antwerp. Innovation is the key to the future. Innovation needs many things, but in the first place creative people. Antwerp and its University are strong in design thinking and product development which are crucial to form innovative processes. Product design is the core of Antwerp. Powered by Creatives, a dynamic creative community.
One engine
Antwerp is on the one hand the port with its logistics and industry and on the other hand the city with its urban economy. City and port are more and more interconnected because of the joint approach of the challenges with which Antwerp is confronted.
Two faces of one city
In the past Antwerp has always innovated to maintain and strengthen its economic position. We are doing this again with 3 innovation clusters: digital innovation, circular economy and health. Antwerp aligns in this with the European spearheads. Startups in these clusters bring oxygen to the four fundamentals.
Three innovation clusters
The Antwerp economy rests on 4 fundamentals. The second largest port in Europe. The second largest chemical cluster in the world with nearly all of the big chemical producers present. In the last 10 years 11,5 billion euro was invested in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and in its chemical cluster. The first diamond centre in the world. 86% of all rough diamonds and 50% of all cut diamonds pass through Antwerp. Finally, Antwerp is Belgium’s favourite retail destination, with a unique status in fashion maintaining a strong reputation alongside fashion capitals such as Paris, London, Milan and New York.
Four fundamentals
The city of Antwerp has a very rich tradition. It was already an important settlement in Roman times. But the real “grandeur” started in the 15th century. In 1447 we find the first official record of diamond trade. The 16th century was Antwerp’s Golden Century: it became the trade centre of Europe. In 1531 the Antwerp Stock Exchange was opened, genuinely called “the mother of all stock exchanges”.
In the 16th Century Antwerp laid the foundation for its rich cultural heritage. In painting the Antwerp school with Bruegel, Rubens, Van Dyck and many others became world famous. And still is. In 1585 the Spaniards conquered Antwerp and closed the river Scheldt. The Antwerp diaspora made name and fortune elsewhere. But gradually Antwerp regained forces and in the 19th century it becomes one of the biggest European ports.
Antwerp: a history of trade
Introduction: